SALDANA AND 71M TEAM MAKING PLANS FOR GRAND FORKS AND FERGUS FALLS

Joey Saldana (71m) and Donny Schatz (15) (Serena Dalhamer photo)

 

By Susan Arnold

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (June 18, 2013) – The next ‘at bat’ for Motter Equipment Fatheadz Eyewear 71M driver Joey Saldana and the World of Outlaws is Friday, June 21 at River Cities Speedway.

 

Joey Saldana (71m) and Donny Schatz (15) (Serena Dalhamer photo)
Joey Saldana (71m) and Donny Schatz (15) (Serena Dalhamer photo)

This will be the Outlaws’ twelfth appearance since the 2007 inaugural event won by Saldana.  The Brownsburg Bullet followed that victory with another in 2010.

 

The legendary 3/10-mile high-banked bullring will be filled with drivers who will be trying to find the best strategy to be safe, yet fast.

 

“Driving on this track is tricky because it’s small and you are always in traffic,” said Saldana.  “One accident or one car out of shape can collect a lot of cars and cause damage that might end your night.  You have to be extra alert if that’s possible.

 

“While it’s a challenging night for the drivers, it is sure to be a great show for the fans.”

 

At the conclusion of the River Cities Speedway event, the Outlaws competitors will drive about 140 miles south to I-94 Speedway in Fergus Falls, Minn.

 

This will be the inaugural Outlaws event on this 3/8-mile high bank dirt track.  All competitors will be on equal footing:  no wins, no losses.

 

Following the Knoxville event last Saturday, the 71M team headed to team owner Dan Motter’s business headquarters near Hibbing, Minn. and has been sorting through data they have collected so far this season to strategize and get ready for the weekend.

 

“We need to find consistency,” said Motter.  “We have had some great performances this year but we need to be more consistent.  We want to be well prepared as the big money races of this summer are fast approaching.”

 

So far this season, the team has three quick times, two track records and seven top-five finishes.